WATCH: Clashes in Jaffa after police shoot suspect dead overnight

Two suspects shot overnight after exchanging gunfire with police during moped chase.

By DANIEL K. EISENBUD
Updated: JULY 30, 2017 06:00
Protestors burn tires during clashes with police in Jaffa, July 29, 2017. (Credit: SOCIAL MEDIA)
Violence erupted between Jaffa residents and police on the coastal city’s main thoroughfare Saturday afternoon following the overnight shooting death of a 21-year-old Arab resident involved in a firefight with officers.
While a gag order was issued following the shooting, police said that it was a criminal matter, not a terrorist attack.
“Shots were fired by a number of suspects at a port area during the early morning hours and police immediately responded, at which time two suspects fled on mopeds,” said police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld.
“A chase ensued and gunfire was exchanged. As a result, both of the suspects were shot and taken to Wolfson Medical Center [in Holon], where one died this morning and the other is in moderate condition.”
Rosenfeld said an investigation into the shooting has been opened.
On Saturday afternoon, dozens of masked Arab rioters gathered at the intersection of Yefet Street and Haj Kahil junction, where the shooting took place.
“The rioters were young Arab Jaffa residents, and as a result of the tensions following the shooting, fires were set to tires and dumpsters, and stones were thrown at police,” said Rosenfeld.
“Extra police units were called into the area and they quickly dealt with the situation and contained the rioting after closing the road where the riot took place,” he added, noting that no injuries were reported.
As of early Saturday evening, at least three suspects were arrested, Rosenfeld said.
The funeral for the unnamed 21-year-old was held on Saturday night in Jaffa.
Hundreds of people came out to attend the funeral and protest against the police. The protests turned violent and Gilad Shalmor, a Channel 2 reporter, was physically attacked and his equipment vandalized. He was taken to Tel Aviv's Ichilov hospital in light condition.
Jerusalem Post staff contributed to this report.


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